IT News
Imphal, Feb 3: Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla highlighted achievements and issues of the State administration on the first day of the 4th session of the Eleventh Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Dr. Najma Heptulla said that the vibrant diversity and proud traditions of the State inspires all, to continuously work towards a shared vision of collective prosperity and inclusive development for the people of Manipur. Continuous efforts are made to remove the emotional and developmental gaps between various communities of the state.
She stated that the Government is committed for an all-round, inclusive and harmonious development in the State. Aiming towards a citizen-centric and corruption-free administration, “Meeyamgi Numit” and “Hill Leaders’ Day” were introduced to carry out regular and structured interaction with the public. In the same spirit of transparency and good governance., The “Vigilance Department” has been reorganized as “Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department” to tackle corruption cases and Anti-Corruption Cell set up to monitor and track such cases, she added.
Stating improvement in the law and order situation and security environment of the whole State, she said that the State has been bandh and blockade free since the new government assumed office. Security along the border areas, especially Moreh and Behiang has been strengthened and Special Forces deployed in the border areas to curb cross border movement of insurgent groups and illegal migration from across the border.
The Governor also said that the government has kept its door open for negotiation with insurgency groups to bring them back into the mainstream. About 75 (seventy-five) cadres of different insurgent groups surrendered this year and the allowances of the surrendered militants will be enhanced to help in their rehabilitation.
In her address, the Governor stated that the govt. is giving strong emphasis for development of people in hill areas. Construction of Women Markets at Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Churachandpur, Senapati, Kangpokpi and Jiribam has been launched which will be completed soon. Efforts are also on to provide accommodation to doctors and teachers posted in the remote hill areas.
During the year, seventy seven thousand (77,000)pre and post matric scholarships were provided to tribal students. Construction of 5 (five) 100 bedded OBC hostels is going on with additional two Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Kamjong and Churachandpur being taken up for tribal students. Construction of ST boys and Girls Hostel has also been taken up in Noney, Chandel and Ukhrul.
The Governor further stated that the government has specially launched “Chief Minister’s Laiyeng Shen” – a health programme for widows where Rs. 15,000/- each will be given to selected beneficiaries. Remedial coaching programme – “Chief Minister’s Lairik Yengminnasi” for minority students for English, Maths and Science is also being implemented.
The Governor also stated that the Govt. has enacted legislation to regulate the establishment and management of private schools and private coaching centres. Three Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas at Poi in Ukhrul; Langol in Chandel and New Mandeu in Tamenglong to High Schools were recently upgraded and will develop Model schools in 5 districts at a cost of Rupees twenty crore each in the coming years.
To ensure 24X7 electricity supply, 4 (four) new 132/33kV sub-stations at Thoubal, Elangkhangpokpi, Chandel and Hundung and seven (7) new 33/11kV sub-stations at Henglep, Oinamlong, Ukhrul Khunjao, Gelnel, Chakpikarong, Phungyar and Mao were commissioned and dedicated to the people. In addition, 3 (three) 132/33kV sub-stations at Thanlon, Moreh and Tipaimukh and 3 (three) 33/11kV sub-stations at Kasom-Khullen, Nungbi-Khullen, and Mayangkhang will be completed soon. Work has begun to upgrade Sub-Station at Imphal and for extending the 400 kV D/C line from Silchar. 23 number of 33/11 kV stations will be installed at various locations in the next year to strengthen the transmission system.
The Govt. is focused towards development of orchard farms in hill districts and setting up of one cold storage in each district head quarter. Five (5) Rural Markets and two (2) Integrated Pack Houses at Khongampat, Wabagai, Pangaltabi, Kwasiphai, Nambol and Kangmong were constructed. Efforts are also being made under “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region” to popularise the “Chak-hao” in the national and international markets.
The government has initiated a healthcare scheme “Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang” Scheme which was launched on the Statehood Day. The scheme will provide “cashless” medical cover to BPL, AAY card holders and to the poor, disabled and widows for up to Rs. 2 lakh per family per year for 7 critical diseases and for upto Rupees fifty thousand (Rs. 50,000/-) for other identified general ailments.
Continuing its efforts to improve Air connectivity, direct flights between Imphal and Delhi has been introduced. Expansion and upgradation of Imphal International Airport is taking place along with setting up Air Cargo Terminal. During the year, the Imphal Airport road was improved and widened; work is almost nearing completion.
The government has already completed 19 Kms of National Highways of the set target of 30 Kms and work on procurement and tendering for another over 88 Kms is under progress. Maintenance and Improvement work of Imphal-Jiri Road will be completed by March 2018. DPR for 4 laning and 2 laning is under preparation. Foundation work has started for construction of Barak and Makru bridges.
The Manipur State Transport was revived after a gap of 15 years. Free travel for the disabled has been provided in all public transport. For convenience and safety of women passengers, reserved Seating arrangements have been made on Manipur State Transport (MST) buses.
The Government has decided to make the “Core Area of Imphal City” Garbage free. Laxmi Market and New Market at Khwairamband Bazar have been made functional after repairing the earthquake damages. “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana” scheme is implemented in 24 towns of Manipur and over twenty six thousand (26,000) houses selected for assistance under the scheme. The Government has exempted Stamp duty, registration fee and tax on registration of deeds for transfer of land to the female head of the household under the Scheme.
The government has implemented the “Chief Minister-gi Shotharabasingi Tengbang”scheme which will provide the much needed care, assistance and dignity to the persons with disabilities, the aged homeless persons and their care-givers. 2,150 persons with disabilities have already been registered under the Scheme.
For the first time, a “North-East Business Summit” was held in Manipur which was attended by Hon’ble President of India as the Chief Guest and as many as 39 MoUs were signed. The government has come up with a new Industrial and Investment Policy, 2017 envisaging setting up of a “Single Window Agency” for approvals. For creating industrial infrastructure, the government is constructing one more industrial estate, at Salemthar of Chandel district besides the four existing ones.
The National Sports University has commenced its operations and first two courses in the areas of Sports coaching and the Physical Education and Sports were launched this year. Efforts are on to complete the work on District Sports Complexes in Ukhrul, Chandel, Churachandpur and Tamenglong this year as well completing the Cricket Sport complex at Luwangsangbam. 4 (four) Artificial football grounds at Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal will be taken up, besides one Artificial Hockey Ground at Imphal East, Mini Sports Stadium at Akampat SEYO Club Ground, MMA Training Hall, and Flood Lighting at Khuman Lampak. There is also a proposal to set up a regional football academy in the state to encourage young talents.
Government has initiated measures to provide Manipuri local dishes in all Manipur Bhawans in order to make the visitors from the State feel at home. Manipur Bhawan, Guwahati will be made functional within March 2018. For the welfare of the journalist community Manipur State Journalists’ Welfare Scheme was introduced in the State. The State Information and Public Relations Department organized a 2-Day Media Interaction Programme between India and Myanmar recently.
The Governor said that we must looked forward to a future which will unlock the full potential of the people and resources of Manipur that requires a strong sense of participation, collaboration and common purpose amongst all stakeholders in order to realise collective goals and attain shared prosperity.
Later, in continuation of the session, MLA Shri P. Saratchandra moved the motion of thanks to the Governor address which was seconded by MLA Shri Awangbow Newmai. The Governor address will be discuss in the floor of the Assembly on February 6, 2018.
